LAMP Weekly Mix #157 feat. Sleepy Cat (New Year's Mix)

Ringing in the New Year with a fresh mix from our very own Sleepy Cat. Having spent a good portion of last year exploring new music styles, techniques and redefining the approach to his sound Sleepy Cat is looking forward to the new year with a host of new music. The LA based producer is a staple within the local house community and has been performing under this moniker for just a few years while already amassing over a decade of experience on the decks under other pseudonyms and projects. Enjoy this week's mix and check out his interview with MR PUZL below along with the tracklist.MR PUZL: Almost a year ago today we dropped your first LAMP New Year’s Mix. What have you got lined up for us this year?Sleepy Cat: Went a little deeper than usual this time around. Went for tracks that just made you feel good deep inside to bring in the new year. Took a lot of digging to get the right feel but I think you guys will enjoy the selection.MR PUZL: A lot has happened since then for you between releases and developing your music. Fill us in on the details and what have you got in store for this year.SC: I’ve been spending a lot of time working on artist development this pass year and it’s slowly paying off. I’ve picked up drumming in the pass year also which is helping with my rhythm and timing while performing. I hope to incorporate a live act of some sort down the line. Right now I’m just having fun discovering new ways to perform electronic music.MR PUZL: As you mentioned above you’re really enjoying learning the drums. How does this permeate into your production methods?SC: It’s definitely allowing me to hear more and more segments of time and how to play them at faster tempos.MR PUZL: Do you feel as this will develop into something more along the lines of a live show or band?SC: I’ve been utilizing and testing out a new feature called Ableton Link. Which allows you to link up multiple computers using their own Ableton setup as well as other apps/programs. This year I’ve seen a lot more new equipment geared towards live performance of electronic music than in the past. A lot of friends have come through my new studio setup where we can plug in and just jam out loops and such with Ableton and hardware we all have.MR PUZL: Tastes change and develop as musicians grow and evolve. Who/what are you listening to right now that’s inspiring you?SC: I’ve been listening to a lot of hip hop, funk, soul, certain jazz where baselines and groove goes on for days. It’s allowed me to have a wider palette in music appreciation.MR PUZL: After the tragedy in Oakland there has been a huge crackdown on live/work spaces for artists here in LA. What impact do you think this will have on the creative community and late night spaces that are such a crucial part in developing the scene in this city?SC: We see this happening in all major cities around the world now. The people who provide art and culture in cities are struggling to have affordable spaces to work and live in. Real estate developers and city officials need to understand that artists and many workers in cities can’t afford to live in many of the new housing options that are being built around many metropolitan areas.MR PUZL: What were some musical highlights for you in 2016? Any favorite albums or releases that really caught your ear?SC: Well hip hop made a comeback with the new Tribe album. I was also digging a lot of this years releases from the labels This Ain’t Bristol, Snatch and Simma Black. I also just found several tracks from a label I found called Dirt Crew Germany. I have a couple of their tracks in the mix.

Tracklist

1. 25 PLACES // Closing Title Song (original mix)2. NACHTBRAKER // Really Ties The Room Together3. Black Loops // Sex4. KINK // Valentine's Groove5. JOSS MOOG // Triple Loop6. BLACK LOOPS // Nyna7. Felix Leifur // Feels Like8. KINK // ChorusEnjoy,LAMP